Nikola Jokic vs LeBron James Rivalry Takes Aggressive Michael Jordan-Isiah Thomas Turn After Unsportsmanlike Behaviour

The NBA regular season night was a blow-on-blow for LeBron James and the team. Not only did they have to see Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets in their championship glow and rings, but their first game was a disappointing loss. Social media and trolls are going to have a field day with Bron’s not-so-fine moments.

On a more serious note, King James seems to have taken the loss closer to heart. His leave-taking after the Nuggets 119-107 victory showed deeper emotions at play. But will the Nuggets-Lakers rivalry take a historic turn after this?

LeBron James leaves on a sour after Nikola Jokic and co.’s win

Apparently, the loss to Denver was too much for anyone on the Lakers team to handle that they left without another word. A recent tweet by Basketball on X shows Nikola Jokic moving in the direction of Bron only to see him leaving for the exits.

Well, it won’t be the first time King James leaves a game without acknowledging or respecting the post-handshake tradition. He walked out on the Grizzlies before the buzzer sounded after the Lakers won the game. Earlier in 2021, Bron did the same. But this time his Lakers just faced a playoff loss against the Suns. 

So, not a big deal. Yet, his walking out in tonight’s game has everyone wondering if this could be the start of the infamous Jordan-Thomas rift.

James’s obvious mood-off is reminiscent of the past rift between basketball legends

Michael Jordan and Isiah Lord Thomas III are both basketball legends in their own rights. His Airness has many feathers under his cap. To mention them in one paragraph wouldn’t be fair to him. Zeke is not far behind in the accolade department.

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The 12x NBA All-Star is a Hall of Famer and was named to the 50th and 75th NBA anniversary teams. But what makes Isiah popular is the bad blood between him and Michael. Chicago natives, the both of them, were pitted to be against each other the moment Jordan stepped foot in the court. They would go on to create havoc wherever and whenever they played against each other.

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 But, Chicago loved their new hero, Michael Jordan, and didn’t tolerate anyone who said otherwise. With Zeke’s Pistons already noteworthy for employing any tricks to get their hands on the ring, the “Bad Boy” Pistons just brought more heat and scrutiny to themselves. The 1991 Eastern Conference finals would be the fated year for Isiah to take their beef to the next level.

With 7.9 seconds remaining in the game, the Pistons walked out of the court. Talk about unsportsmanship. Though not that dramatic, LeBron walking away without a post-game acknowledgement is not going to do him any favours. 

Hopefully, he can cool off until the Nuggets and Lakers meet next year.